Federation CJA launches relief fund for Lac-Mégantic

MONTREAL — Federation CJA in Montreal announced July 10 that it has created of a humanitarian relief fund to provide “immediate aid” to victims of the Lac-Mégantic tragedy.

The early morning July 6 derailment of a U.S.-operated, 73-car freight train carrying crude oil and the explosions that followed are feared to have killed 50 people, as well as left 2,000 out of the town’s 6,000 population evacuated from their residences or homeless and destroyed 30 buildings – half of the town’s centre.

The town is located about 250 kilometres from Montreal in the Eastern Townships (l’Estrie).

“We are all horrified about the tragic loss of lives and devastation stemming from last weekend’s train derailment in Lac-Mégantic,” Federation CJA president David Cape said in a statement.

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the families affected.”

Federation CJA said that “100 per cent of all proceeds collected by [the] fund will be directed to relief efforts on the ground through the Red Cross and other appropriate channels.

“The Montreal Jewish community is standing together in support of our fellow Quebecers,” Cape said.

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